Coopersburg changes ambulance service

The borough of Coopersburg has ended its relationship with its longtime ambulance corps, saying a new agreement with Upper Saucon Ambulance Corps will mean better care for residents.

Borough Manager Tim Paashaus said Upper Saucon's advanced life support squad, which is staffed by paramedics, can offer better care than Coopersburg Ambulance, a basic life support group that employs emergency medical technicians. Paramedics are trained to perform more sophisticated medical procedures than EMTs.

Though Upper Saucon's headquarters building is 21/2 miles outside the borough and Coopersburg Ambulance is on Main Street in sight of borough hall, Paashaus said the difference in response time would be minimal.

The move will save the borough money. It had been making annual contributions to Coopersburg Ambulance, budgeting $17,000 this year. Upper Saucon told the borough it would seek no contributions because adding subscriptions in Coopersburg would cover the cost of expanding its territory.

Paashaus said the decision was less about money than quality of care. Money "was a factor but not a driving force," he said. "It's going to make response better in the borough."

Coopersburg Ambulance Chief Cindy Padilla said her agency hasn't yet had a general meeting to discuss the matter, so she was not ready to comment.